Aid convoy to Syria (From Messenger Newspapers)

Syria Relief connvoy sets off

11:55am Thursday 1st November 2012 in News

A TIMPERLEY charity founder dispatched an aid convoy to Syria on Tuesday - delivering medical help to the war-torn country’s citizens.

Dr Basil Hatahet, 45, from Clay Lane, joined volunteers at Roundthorn Industrial Estate in Wythenshawe, to load eight specially equipped ambulances and two vans with emergency aid, purchased by the charity he helped establish, Syria Relief.

Basil, who has many close relatives living in Syria, decided to set up a charity to help the country’s citizens after civil war erupted there following an uprising in 2011.

The father-of-four said: “That part of the world has a special place in my heart and the only common ground of help is humanitarian help.”

Syria Relief was founded in September 2011 by the dentist and two other trustees and since its launch it has raised £1.5 million, providing much needed food, shelter and medical support to those affected by the civil war.

Basil said: “The damage caused by the current unrest to millions of lives in Syria is beyond the ability of one charity to solve but we hope that our work will motivate others to be as active, or even more active, than us.”

On October 30, vehicles, driven by Syrian volunteers and packed with medical equipment, medications, dental equipment and winter clothes set off for Syria. The convoy also includes specialist medical teams, offering their skills and expertise to Syrian refugees.

Funding for the mission has come from donations and fundraising events and Basil thanked supporters who have helped to make the charity’s vision a continuing reality.

He added: “My hope is that this crisis will end very soon and that Syria comes out of it as a modern, strong, democratic state, and that Syria Relief be an important partner in the rebuild of the country.”

To make a donation visit www.syriarelief.org.uk